Well-drilling roller bit



March 3,1959 J. s, soODwlN 2,875,984

WELL-DRILLING ROLLER BIT 7 Filed March 29, 1955 9 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.ZFVVENTOE March 3, 1959 I 5, oopwm 2,875,984

' WELL-DRILLING ROLLER BIT I Filed March 28, 1955- I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVEN roe rI H 5. Gooow/N,

AGENTS March 3, 1959 J. 5. GOODWIN 2,s75;9s4

WELL-DRILLING ROLLER BIT Filed March 28, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 g I v/v/lI 27 V// [1/ 26 a; 2o

Iv l/E'N TOR tTOH/V 5. Gooowxxv,

By &/7

AGENTS WELL-DRILLING ROLLER BIT John S. Goodwin, Whittier, Calif.,assignor to Globe Oil Tools, Los Nietos, Califl, a corporation ofCalifornia Application March 28, 1955, Serial No. 496,963 11 Claims.(Cl. 255-313) This invention has to do with a well-drilling roller bitand is concerned in particular with a new and highly useful constructiontherefor, it being a general object of this invention to provide anextremely simple, inexpensive and improved construction for themanufacture and production of well-drilling bits.

Well-drilling bits of the type under consideration ar used extensivelyin the rotary method of drilling wells and are subjected to severeoperating conditions. Therefore, the materials and methods employed inthe manufacture'of drilling bits are of high quality and standardsresulting in a costly product. In spite of the fact that only the bestmaterial and workmanship is employed in the manufacture of such welltools, roller bits are, at best, short lived thus requiringa largenumber of bits in order to dig a well. Economy in manufacture is,therefore, an important factor.

Because of the severe working conditions encountered, roller bits arenecessarily of rugged construction and are characteristically compactstructures having a body with depending legs carrying roller cutters.The compactness of these structures results in machining and assemblydifficulties requiring special tools and tedious steps United StatesPatent 2 a minimum of welding is required to join the parts of thestructure and to provide a fluid seal that confines flow of mud to theflow passage through the bit.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typical preferredforms and applications of my invention, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1' is a detailed sectional view taken vertically through thedrilling bit that I have provided. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken asindicated by line 2.2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken asindicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view of a portion ofthe bit taken as indicated by line 44 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5

is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified form of the bitconstruction that I have provided. Fig. 6 is a view of one of thesegmental elements of the bit body that I have provided showing it inthe process of manufacture. Fig. 7 is a perspectiveview of a typicalmanifold as provided in connection with the bit construction,

' and Fig. 8 is a sectional View through the segmental eleture.

ment of the bit taken as indicated by line 8-8 on Fig. 6.

The bit that I have provided, and as illustrated in the drawings, ispreferably a roller bit having a plurality of roller cutters X. Forexample, there are three roller cutters X equally spacedcircumferentially of the struc- 'In accordance with the invention, thebit is of fabricated construction and involves generally a segmentalbody Y and a fluid handling manifold Z. The cutin the process ofmanufacture and ordinarily resulting in high costs. For example, variousparts must be turned and ground to meet production standards, and in bitconstructions heretofore employed, access to the areas to be machined insaid manners is materially restricted. With'restricted access to saidareas the machining and grinding processes become prolonged and costly.

An object of this invention is to provide a rugged and practical rollerbit construction that is of simple, inexpensive, and improvedconstruction. An object of this invention is to provide a roller bitconstruction wherein areas to be machined are easily accessible. Withthe construction that I have provided, special machine tools are notrequired and ordinary high rate of production methods of machining areemployed in the manufacture of the bit. That is, large rugged cuttingbits, milling cutters, and grinding wheels may be employed in order toshape and form the elements of the bit.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a bit constructionwherein accurate, inexpensive machining steps are employed resulting ineasily and quickly made parts of accurate workmanship and high quality.

It is another object of this invention to provide a segmental bodyconstruction fora roller bit of the type referred to wherein thesegments are identical and only string in the desired manner.

An object of this invention is to provide a segmental roller bitconstruction of the character referred to that is easilyassembled andsecured together by simple welded joints. 'With the construction that Ihave provided, only ters X, segments of the body Y and the manifold Zand separately formed parts are assembled and securedtogether by weldingW. 'It will be understood that when there are three cutters X involved,there are three body segments that are assembled and then securedtogether by welding around the manifold Z. These parts, when assembledas shown throughout the drawings, form the bit of the present invention.

The cutters X may be alike and may be ordinary roller cutters of thetype commonly employed in the art. The cutters are, generally speaking,frusto conical elements with rows of intermeshing circumferentiallyspaced teeth (not shown), the rowsof teeth of the three cutters beinglapped or meshed so that the teeth of one cutter fit into groovesbetween the teeth of the other cutter. The cutters X are rotatablycarried by the body Y on equally spaced outwardly and upwardly inclinedaxes that intersect the central portion of the structure. In practice,the cutters may be ofiset from the vertical axis of the body Y to gainthe most efficient cutting action. As shown, each cutter X is acup-shaped element 10 with inner and outed bearing races 11, 12, and 13provided to cooperate with the body Y as hereinafter described torotatably mount and retain the cutters X on the body.

The body Y is a tubular part of segmental construction involving likesegments 15, 16, and 17, which in practice, are preferably identical.Each of the segments involves, generally, an upper coupling section 20,an intermediate section 21 and a lower cutter section 22. Each segmentand the section thereof is an arcuate semi-circular part forming aportion of the tubular body Y. That is, the body Y is formed of segmentswhich have radially disposed side faces 23 that extend longitudinally ofthe body and abut each other to form a continuous outer wall or shell.

The coupling sections 20 of the segments 15, 16, and 17 are preferablyidentical so that a description of one serves as a description of theother. Section 20 is arcuate or semi-circular and has a concave innerwall 25 and a convex outer wall 26. The walls 25 and 26 are concentric,the wall 26 being upwardly and inwardly tapered and terminating in aflat end 27 in a plane normal to the central axisof the structure. Thewalls 25 and 26 extend adapted to be coupled with the lower end'ofadrill pipe orcollar 33 to be rotated thereby.

The intermediate sections 21 of the segments 15, 16, and 17 arepreferably identical so that a description of one serves as adescription of'the other. Section 21 is also arcuate or semi-circularand has a concave inner Wall 30 and a convex outer wall 31. The wall 30and 31 are concentric forming, in effect, continuations of the Walls 25and 26 of section 20' above described. The walls 30 and 31 extendbetween the side faces 23' of the segments, and when the segments areassembled the walls 30 and 31 form a continuous circular wall definingan intermediate body portion B that isconcentric with the vertical axisof the bit and depends downwardly from the pin A. The wall 31 issomewhat larger in radius or diameter than the wall 26, there being acircumferentially axially disposed shoulder 32 that joins the walls andis faced upwardly to receive and form a stop for the lower end of thedrill pipe or collar 33.

In accordance with the invention I have provided a recess 34 at eachwall 23, and which recess is formed in the lower depending portion ofthe section 21. The recesses 34 are shaped so that when adjoiningsegments 15, 16, and 17 are brought together or assembled, a notch 35 isformed in the point of joinder between the segments. The notch 35 thusformed is provided to receive parts of the manifold Z .hereinafterdescribed, and as shown, the notches35 are in the nature of lateralopenings in the intermediate body portion B and are defined by sides 36and a top 37. The top and sides are suitably shaped and continuouslycurved to fit the form of the manifold Z. In order to facilitateassembly of the manifold Z with the segments 15, 16, and 17, substantialclearance is provided between the top and sides of the notches 35, asclearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings.

As above pointed out, the body Y is tubular in form and, as shown, abore 40 extends therethrough defined by the inner walls 25 and 30. Thewall 30 is somewhat larger in radius or diameter than the wall 25 therebeing a circumferential axially disposed shoulder 41 joining the wallsand faced downwardly to receive and form a stop for the manifold Z. Thelower end of bore 40 receives the manifold Z with clearance and acounter bore or guide or seat 42 is preferably provided to guide andposition the manifold as hereinafter described. The guide or seat 42 islocated at the upper end of the body portion B where it joins the pin A.

Thecutter carrying sections 22 of the segments 15, 16, and 17 arepreferably identical so that a description of one-serves as adescription of the other. Section 22 isa simple elongate projection 45provided with a trunnion 46 that carries a roller cutter X and forms aleg C of the bit that I have provided. The projection 45 is somewhatnarrower circumferentially than the section 21 and is defined by innerand outer walls 47 and 48 and by sides 49. The walls 47 and 48 arecontinuations of the walls 30 and 31 while the sides 49 extenddownwardly from the lower'end of the intermediate section 21 at or nearthe sides 36 of the recesses 34 that form the notches 35.

The trunnion 46 is carried at the lower end of the projection 45 andprojects downwardly and inwardly on an axisthatintersects or is offsetto intersect the central vertical axis of'the structure. As shown,thetrunnion 46 is a bearing element with inner and outer bearing races49.'and 50 and'with a retainer race 51. A cutter X is rotatably andantifrictionally carried on the trunnion 46 with inner and outer rollers52 and 53'operating;between the races of the trunnion and cutter, andwith balls 54 operating' between the-retainer races" of the trunnion andcutter; It will be apparent how the balls 54 retain the cutter X on thetrunnion 46 so that it is rotatable, there being a plug 55 secured in anopening in the trunnion to retain the balls in proper working position.

The manifold Z is a unitary element of the drilling bit that I haveprovided and is such that it may be varied as circumstances require inorder to suitably handle the circulating fluid or mud which is deliveredby the drilling string through the drill pipe. and/ or collar 33 Themanifold Z not only serves to handle fluid, but acts primarilyto closethe lower end of the body section 20 and bore 30, and to tie andsecurethe segments 15, 16, and 17 together into the tubular body Y. Themanifold Z involves generally a central flow tube 56, lateral extensions57 and fluid handling openings or jets 58.

The central flow tube 56 is an elongate vertically disposed part with acylindrical outer wall 60' open at the upper end and closed at the lowerend by a bottom 61. The bottom 61 is substantially a flat horizontallydisposed plate-like part. The tube 56 corresponds substantially with thediameter of the inner wall 30 of body section 21, preferably somewhatsmaller in diameter in order to establish suitable clearance, and has aturned upper end portion 62 carried in the guide or seat 42, and anupper end face 63 in abutment with the shoulder 41. It will be apparenthow the parts thus related are easily assembled and act to positionthemselves relative to each other.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, theextensions 57 are more or less minimum in size and lateral extent, therebeing three equally spaced extensions so that each extension occursbetween adjacent cutters X. As shown, each extension 57 projectsradially from the central tube 56 and involves a bottom'64 continuingfrom the bottom 61, a top 65 joined to and projecting laterally from thewall 60, side walls 66 joined to and projecting laterally from the wall60, and an outer end wall 67 closing the extension. The extensions 57conduct fluid laterally to the outer peripheral portion of the bit to behandled by the openings or jets 58 which are carried in the bottoms 64at or near the outer periphery of the bit to direct fluid downwardly andonto the cutters X. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, there maybe a plurality of openings or jets 58, for example, one opening in eachextension 57 and one or more openings in the bottom 61 of the manifold.The opening in the bottom may be on the central vertical axis of the bitto direct fluid onto the center portion of the cutters X. The openingsor jets 58 may be provided with orifice bushings or inserts secured inplace by brazing or the like in order to reduce erosion and wear.

In Fig. -5 of the drawings, I have illustrated a modified form of theinvention wherein extensions 57' are provided which are elongated orextended in order to carry the openings or jets 58 outward of thecutters X so that fluid is directed downwardly and onto the bottom ofthe well bore, by passing the cutters X.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a roller bitstructure that is easily machined and assembled. I have illustrated, inFig. 6 of the drawings, a typical segment of my roller bit constructionin the process of being turned'or ground. It is to be observed that thesegment (15, 16, or 17) is a straight elongate part with the trunnorestriction whatsoever. radially of the trunnion axis. A preferredmethod of machining is shown in the drawings which isaccomplished bycutting a center drilled opening 70in a projection 71 at the inner endof the trunnion 46 and a center drilled opening 72 in the exterior ofthe leg C or at the outer wall 48. As shown, a boss 73 is provided onthe wall 48 to receive the center drill and opening. The projection 71and boss 73 may be removed after the machining and grinding arecompleted. Thus the segment of the body Y may be machined on center 74and 74 using cutting tools 75 of ample size and durability.

In order to assemble the bit that I have provided the roller cutters Xare placed in operating position on the trunnions 46 whereupon thesegments 15, 16, and 17 are brought together with the side faces 23 inabutment with each other and with the manifold Z in operating position.It will be apparent thatthe turned end portion 62 of the manifold alignswith the guides or seats 42 of the segments so that the segments areproperly positioned. 'Suitable dowel pins 76 and/ or dowel openings 77may be provided in the faces 23 in order to facilitate positioning ofthe segments indifferent machines during the process of manufacturing.The dowels 77 position segments for drilling center holes 70 and 72 sothat the segments are maintained at a given height for the variousmachining operations. The extensions 57 of the manifold Z projectlaterally of the flow tube 56 and are accommodated by the recesses 34 inthe segments which form the notches 35.

In order to secure the parts together in the relationship abovedescribed, the welding W is applied in the manner clearly shownthroughout the drawings. In practice, each vertical joint between thesections 20 of the segments are joined at the inner Wall 25 by a seamweld 100, and the manifold Z is secured in position and joined to thesegments 15, 16, and 17 by a continuous circular seam weld 101 thatconnects with the welding 100. Thus the segments are permanently'joinedand the flow of fluid is sealed and confined to flow through the bore40.

In addition to the welding 100 and 101 the bottom of the manifold Z issecured to the lower portion of'the section 21 by seams of welding 102which in effect join the manifold Z to the upper ends of the legs C (seeFig. 3). As best shown in Fig. 4, the extensions 57 or 57 are secured tothe intermediate body portion B by means of a seam weld 103 that joinsthe outer end portions of the extensions to the periphery of the body B.Further, the abutting faces 23 of the segments are secured together atthe exterior of the body portion B by welding 104. It will be apparentthat suitable chamfers and the like may be provided to receive thewelding as circumstances require;

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided an extremelysimple and easily manufactured roller bit. The bit that I haveprovidedis extremely compact and of 'durable rugged construction, andsuch as to facilitate the manufacture by means of substantially accurateand durable cutting tools and equipment. Further, each of the segmentsmay be identical and easily forged or otherwise formed and shaped of thedesired durable material, such as high quality steel, and each is thenmachined without excessive waste of materials. Since each segment isindividually machined on centers, all of the bearing surfaces areperfectly round and true and concentric with each other, and theresulting finished segment is metallurgically sound with case hardenedsurfaces that are concentric and of uniform thickness.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A well drilling roller bit including, an elongate segmental body witha coupling section, depending intermediate body sections and cuttercarrying sections, a longitudinal bore extending through the couplingand body sections, an angularlyjdisposed trunnion carried attheter'minal end portion ofeach cutter carrying section, theintermediate'body sections being of limited cir- 'cumferential extentand circumferentially spaced in order to gain unrestricted accessradially of the trunnion of each individual cutter carrying sectionbefore assembly thereof, and a fluid handling manifold carried by thesegmentalbody to close the said bore at the lower end of theintermediate section and having lateral extensions projecting radiallybetween the circumferentially spaced intermediate body sections, saidintermediate body sections being secured one to the other and to themanifold and extensions thereof.

2. A well drilling roller bit including, an elongate segmental body witha coupling section, depending intermediate body sections and cuttercarrying sections, a longitudinal bore extending through the couplingand body sections, the intermediate body sections being of limitedcircumferential extent and circumferentially spaced, there being aturned seat concentric with the axis of the body and at the lower end ofthe said bore, and a fluid handling manifold at the lower end of theintermediate section of the body and comprising, a central flow tubewith a turned portion engaged with the said seat and in communicationwith the said bore and having lateral extensions projecting radiallybetween the circumferentially spaced intermediate body sections, saidintermediate body sections being centered by the turned portion of themanifold and secured one to the. other and to the manifold andextensions thereof by welding.

3. A W6ll drilling roller bit including, an elongate segmental body witha coupling section, depending intermediate body sections and cuttercarrying sections, a longitudinal bore extending through the body, therebeing a downwardly faced shoulder and a turned seat concentric with theaxis of the body and at the lower end of said bore, and a fluid handlingmanifold at the lower end of the intermediate section of the body andcomprising, a central flow tube with an upwardly disposed face engagingthe said shoulder and with a turned portion engaged with said seat andin communication with said bore, and with lateral extensions withrestricted openings therein forming jets directing fluid downwardly,said intermediate body sections being longitudinally positioned by theface on the manifold and centered by the turned portion of the manifoldand secured one to the other and to" the manifold by welding.

4. A well drilling roller bit including, an elongate tubular body madeup of like longitudinally disposed segments each with a couplingsection, an intermediate body section and a depending cutter carryingsection, and each having an arcuate inner wall forming a bore throughthe body'when the segments are assembled, the

intermediate body sections being of limited circumferential extent andcircumferentially spaced, and a fluid tubular body made up of likelongitudinally disposedsegments each with a coupling section, anintermediate body section. and a depending cutter carrying section, andeach having an-arcuate inner wall forming a bore through the body whenthe segments are assembled, there being a downwardly faced shoulder andan arcuately turned seat in-each; segment concentric with-the axisof thebody and'at'the lower end of the said bore, the intermediate bodysections being of limited circumferential extent and circumferentiallyspaced, and a fluid handling manifold at the lower end of theintermediate section of the body and comprising, a central flow tubewith an upwardly disposed face engaging the said shoulder and with aturned portion engaged with the said seats and in communication with thesaid bore, and having lateral extensions projecting radially between thecircumferentially spaced intermediate body sections, each of said bodysegments being longitudinally positioned by the face on the manifold andcentered by the turned portion of the manifold and secured one totheother and to the manifold and extensions thereof by welding. v V I 6. A-well drilling roller bit including, an elongate tubular body made up oflike longitudinally disposed segments each with a coupling section, anintermediate body section and a depending cutter carrying section, andeach having an arcuate inner well forming a bore through the couplingand intermediate sections when the segmentsare assembled, seams ofwelding at the coupling section and joining the segments along the innerwall of the coupling section, and a fluid handling manifold having abottom extending diametrically of the tubular body at the lower endthereof and joined by welding to the body and sealing with the body anddirecting fluidreceived from said bore. v

7. A well drilling roller bit including, an elongate tubular body madeup of like longitudinally disposed segments each with a couplingsection, in intermediate body section and a depending cutter-carryingsection, and eachv having an: arcuate'inner wall forminga bore throughthe coupling and intermediate body sections when the segmentsareassembled, seams of welding at the coupling section and joining thesegments along the inner wall of the coupling section, and a fluidhandling manifold having a bottom extending diametrically of the tubularbody at the lower'end thereof and having a tubular part joined by a seamof welding to the said inner walls at the couplingsection and sealingwith the body and directing fluid received from said bore. I

8. A well drilling roller bit including, an elongate tubular body madeup of like longitudinally disposed segments each with a couplingsection, an intermediate body section and a depending cutter carryingsection, and each having an arcuate inner -wall forming a bore throughthe coupling and intermediate body sections when the segments areassembled, seams' of welding extending longitudinally of the couplingsection and joining the segments along the inner wall thereof, and afluid handling manifold having a-bottom extending diametrically of thetubular body at the lower end of the intermediate sectionand having atubular part joined by a seam of welding'tothe said-inner walls at thecoupling section and sealing with the body and directing fluid receivedfrom saidbore, there being seams of welding joining the manifold to theexteriorof the intermediate section.

9. A well drilling roller bit including, an elongate tubular body madeup of like longitudinally disposed segments each with a couplingsection, an intermediate body section and a depending cutter carryingsection, and each having an arcuate inner wall forming a bore throughthe coupling and intermediate body sections when the segments areassembled, seams of welding extending longitudinally of the couplingsection and joining the segmentsalong the inner wall thereof, and afluid handling manifold having a bottom extending diametrically-of thetubular body at the lower'end of the intermediate section and having atubular part joined by a seam of welding to the said inner walls at thecoupling section and sealing with the body and directing fluid receivedfrom said bore, there being continuous seams of welding joining themanifold to the exterior of the intermediate section adjacent the cuttercarrying section.

10. A well drilling roller bit including, an elongate tubular body madeup of like longitudinally disposed segments each with acoupling section,an intermediate body section and a depending cutter carrying section,and each having an arcuate inner wall forming a bore through thecoupling and intermediate body sections when the segments are assembled,seams of welding extending longitudinally of the coupling section andjoining the segments along the inner wall thereof, and a fluid handlingmanifold having a bottom extending diametrically of the tubular body atthe lower end of the intermediate section and having a tubular partjoined by a continuous seam of welding to the said inner walls at thecoupling section and sealing with the body and directing fluid receivedfrom said bore, there being continuous seams of welding at the exteriorof the body and joining the manifold and body.

11. A well drilling roller bit including, an elongate tubular body madeup of like longitudinally disposed segments each with a couplingsection, an intermediate body section and a depending cutter carryingsection, and each having an arcuate inner wall forming a bore throughthe coupling and intermediate body sections when the segments areassembled, seams of Welding extending longitudinally of the couplingsection and joining the segments along the inner wall thereof, and afluid handling manifold having a bottom extending diametrically of thetubular body at the lower end of the intermediate section and having atubular part joined by a seam of welding to the said inner walls at thecoupling section and sealing with the body and directing fluid receivedfrom the bore, there being continuous seams of welding at the exteriorof the body and joining the manifold and body and joining the manifoldto the lower portion of the intermediate section at the cutter carryingsections.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS959,540 Hughes May 31, 1910 2,260,487 Scott Oct. 28, 1941 2,321,484Harrington et al June 8, 1943 2,592,277 Hammer Apr. 8, 1952 2,692,117Kucera et'al. Oct. 19, 1954

